All-out efforts to get full benefit of GSP Plus

LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that granting of GSP Plus status by European Union is a big achievement which will go a long way to creating new job opportunities in the country besides substantially increasing export of textile and garment products to European countries. He said that all out measures are being taken to get full benefit from GSP Plus status and the Punjab government has constituted a special cabinet committee in this regard which will soon present its final recommendations. He was talking to a delegation led by British member of European Parliament Dr Sajjad Karim, here on Thursday. The prospects of Pakistan’s access to the markets of European countries and increase in its exports in the wake of GSP Plus status were discussed on the occasion. The Chief Minister said that besides enhancing industrial production, increase in exports is also necessary for economic development. He said that granting of GSP Plus status to Pakistan by European Union will result in increase in the export of Pakistani products especially textile and garments to European market. Shahbaz Sharif said that Dr. Sajjad Karim and other expatriate Pakistanis living in Europe have played a key role in the awarding of GSP Plus status to Pakistan. He said that government will fully benefit from this golden opportunity and all conventions will be fully observed in accordance with European Union standards so that maximum Pakistani products could have access to European markets. He said that government is acting speedily to meet the demands of GSP Plus status and a special cabinet committee has also been formed for this purpose. He said that increase in textile and garment exports will enhance the volume of trade with European countries while industrial sector will also progress resulting in strengthening of economy. Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan and China are on the road to strong economic ties and the huge Chinese investment of $30 billion speaks volumes of this fact. The Chief Minister was talking to senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League-N Sindh Arbab Ghulam Rahim who called on him here on Thursday. During the meeting matters of mutual interest, political situation and party issues came under discussion. The Chief Minister said that the PML-N government is striving hard to meet the challenges facing the country and it will come up to the expectations of the nation at any cost. He said that every effort will be made for eliminating load-shedding. He said that people of Pakistan and China are proud of the historic investment package of $30 billion announced by Chinese leadership for Pakistan. He said that the investment package will bring an era of progress and development to Pakistan.